If you have been more than 2 years outside the Magic Kingdom, you do not need the letter of no objection.
According to Saudi law, employers are not required to compulsorily issue NOC (but this will depend on how the Saudis interpret their own law!).

Quote:

My emails and text messgs to my ex-boss (in English and Arabic, use Google Translate!)

Be careful with Google Translate, it may translate an English text into Arabic text with a different meaning of the original text!
I hope Google Translate did not upset your ex-boss by twisting the meaning of your original English text.

Quote:

One piece of advice was to bribe my ex-boss.

Again, be careful with giving bribes in the Magic Kingdom.
The punishment of accepting a bribe is imprisonment up to 10 years or a fine up to one million Rials or both.
Also, the briber (you), or any mediator, will be punished by penalties of the article of incrimination.

So, I guess your ex-boss will think 100 times before accepting your bribe!

you do NOT need an noc, however, some employers, if they know you cannot produce one, ask for the thing if they don't want to employ you and don't want to tell you that straight to your face...saudis are not that confrontational, they prefer a detour which makes them feel less (or not at all) uncomfortable.